Chapter Eight
In her flat grey ballet pumps, Toni hurried towards the barn, past the smokers outside with their beers and lit cigarettes. Seeing someone running made people think twice about stopping you to chat. She waved at a few people and was in the barn before the owner, who was a big fan of her show, could get out to grab her.
Because she was tall, she could see over the heads of the smaller guests and instantly sighted Lou standing near the buffet tables urging people to partake.
Even now, late and still in a state of shock, Toni felt the slowing heartbeat she associated with her sister. Lou had been like a mother to her – she would want to help. Toni could tell her everything, now, and Lou would no doubt drop everything to help her. Which was exactly why she had to keep quiet for a while longer. She would tell Lou everything, but not tonight.
It did not occur to Toni to confide in Lillian, instead. Her mother did not like hearing about other people’s problems. She would never say so, but she didn’t have to – she pulled herself away, creating a barrier few dared to breach. Her mother was very successful at only worrying about what she cared to worry about, Toni reflected. A neat trick if you could do it.
‘Hello birthday lady!’ said Toni when she reached her sister.
Lou looked up and beamed at her.
‘Hello you,’ said Lou and hugged Toni. ‘You look beautiful. How did the show go?’
‘Toni,’ interrupted Emily. ‘I know you’ve just got here but Lillian’s upset about something. Her face would stop a clock and if you go over and calm her down, it means Mum can mingle.’
‘Emily, I can do it,’ said Lou.
Toni put a hand on her sister’s arm, knowing that Lou would race off to tend to their mother if she had the slightest feeling that Lillian was upset.
Not tonight: this was Lou’s night.
‘No,’ said Toni. ‘It’s your special night, Lou. Leave Mother Courage to me.’ And she headed over to their mother and her gang.
Toni grabbed a glass from a passing waitress. She thought that a drink might help her relax – plus it would help in dealing with Lillian.
She fixed her professional smile onto her face and greeted her mother and her cronies.
‘This is the fun part of the party, then?’ she said cheerily.
‘Is it?’ snarled her mother.
It was going to be that sort of evening, Toni realised, with a sinking heart.
‘You look lovely Lillian. Doesn’t she?’
Toni had found that complimenting her mother could cheer her up, but it was not to be the case tonight.
‘Fat lot of good it does me!’ hissed Lillian, downing her drink in one.
Toni wondered what level of storm was about to ensue and determined to keep her mother well away from Lou.
Just one peaceful birthday party – was that too much to ask for?
‘How gorgeous that you came!’ said Lou, still stationed near the barn entrance as Magda and Indira, two of her workmates from Blossom appeared.
‘We are late, sorry!’ said Magda, who still had the faintest Polish accent.
‘Bettina and Oszkar sent these,’ said Indira, whose accent was pure Cork. She gingerly held out the tiniest bouquet, so small and limp that it made them all silent.
‘This is from us,’ said Magda hurriedly, handing over a big, beautifully wrapped box.
‘The flowers are not from us,’ emphasised Indira. ‘The box contains something that might break.’
‘I’ll take it,’ said Emily cheerfully.
Lou found herself holding the limp little bouquet and she stared at it in astonishment.
